Polish politicians condemn Warsaw synagogue firebombing

The attack comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the globe in the wake of the Israel-Gaza war.

Poland’s political leaders have condemned a firebomb attack on a synagogue in Warsaw.

The Nozyk Synagogue in the capital was attacked with three firebombs early on Wednesday. The building sustained minimal damage, and there were no casualties.

Police said they have not established a motive for the attack and no perpetrator has been identified. Attacks against Jewish targets have risen around the globe since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October. However, it is also suspected Russia may be seeking to use the rising tension to encourage social divisions in Europe.

“We were informed overnight about an incident involving a bottle containing a flammable liquid being thrown onto synagogue grounds,” a police spokesperson said.

President Andrzej Duda called the attack “shameful” in a post on X. “There is no place for antisemitism in Poland! There is no place for hatred in Poland!” said the head of state, who is closely linked with the nationalist, conservative Law & Justice Party (PiS), which governed Poland for eight years before losing to an opposition alliance in last year’s elections.